Chapter 135: Refining the Ethereal Spirit Qi, a Significant Increase in Cultivation

Chapter 135: Refining the Ethereal Spirit Qi, a Significant Increase in Cultivation

Given the sect's previous treatment of Qi Refining disciples, Chu Ning's first instinct was to flee.

However, he quickly suppressed this thought.

There was definitely no opportunity to do so at the moment. If Master Xin didn't even allow him to visit Yanji Lane, leaving the sect would undoubtedly be difficult.

On the other hand, if his speculation was correct, he should be safe at least until he reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

Currently, he was only at the "Sixth Layer of Qi Refining" and could freely control the display of his cultivation base. Thus, he had plenty of time ahead of him.

Therefore, the various benefits that Master Xin had given him didn't seem like such a bad thing for the time being.

At the very least, he could use these resources to quickly strengthen himself during this period, such as with spirit stones and pills.

Since he possessed the Ethereal Spirit Qi, it should be reasonable for him to quickly break through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining after refining it.

After that, he wouldn't have to worry about the Lingyuan Dan anymore.

He could also study the art of seal carving more extensively to prepare for his future escape.

Most importantly, he needed a cultivation technique!

This was what Chu Ning desired the most at the moment, as he only had a cultivation technique suited for the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

What he needed to do now was to refine the Ethereal Spirit Qi and see if he could quickly break through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

Then, with the aid of resources, he would quickly cultivate the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art to perfection and see what kind of spiritual body he would evolve into.

At that time, he could choose the next cultivation technique to practice and then prepare to leave.

With this plan in mind, Chu Ning felt his thoughts gradually clearing up.

He no longer felt as anxious as before, and his heart felt slightly more at ease.

At this moment, Chu Ning reached out and patted his spirit beast pouch, releasing Ling Xiaobai from within.

"Meow!"

Ling Xiaobai let out a curious meow, still a bit disoriented about her surroundings.

Chu Ning began to transmit his voice to her, explaining the situation.

"Little one, this is my cave abode. We'll be staying here for a while, and there's a separate room specially prepared for you to stay in."

Chu Ning took Ling Xiaobai on a tour of his cave abode, and the little kitten immediately started frolicking around the spirit beast room with delight.

At this time, Chu Ning began to seriously transmit his voice to Ling Xiaobai:

"Xiaobai, after some time, we may have to leave this place.

In the coming days, I'll take you around to explore, and you can help me find a convenient entry and exit point in the sect's protective formation."

Using Ling Xiaobai to sneak out of the sect was the best idea Chu Ning could come up with.

Since he couldn't leave openly and honestly, he had no choice but to resort to sneaking out secretly.

Before that, he naturally needed to choose a suitable location, waiting for the right opportunity to execute his plan.

At this moment, Chu Ning finally felt that he could truly set his mind at ease. He immediately went to the cultivation room, sat down cross-legged, and prepared to cultivate the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.

But before he began, Chu Ning didn't forget to check his cultivation progress.

【Green Wood Eternal Spring Art (Low-grade Yellow Tier), Third Layer (1081/2100)】

【Nine Transforming Body Refining Art, First Volume, Endless Sinews (598/1500)】

【Refine God Technique, Second Layer (17/2000)】

Using his spiritual sense to examine his inner state, Chu Ning soon sensed the extremely pure strand of heavenly energy in his dantian.

"Bone-washing Spirit Root? Improving innate talent?"

The Ethereal Spirit Qi had been described as incredibly wondrous by everyone, and he was now curious to truly experience its effects.

As he attempted to guide his spiritual power towards the Ethereal Spirit Qi, a tiny wisp of it was immediately stimulated.

And in the next moment, the heavenly energy in the surroundings seemed to respond, rushing towards Chu Ning's body.

"The Ethereal Spirit Qi can actually attract heavenly energy?"

Chu Ning quickly sensed the difference, feeling extremely astonished. He promptly calmed his mind and continued.

The Green Wood Eternal Spring Art started circulating, and heavenly energy gathered.

Even with Chu Ning's Yin Wood spiritual body and its astonishing absorption speed, the rate at which the heavenly energy was converging was even faster.

The strands of energy not only entered Chu Ning's dantian but also cleansed his entire body.

The heavenly energy that couldn't enter his body gathered around him.

Soon, he was enveloped in a white mist of spiritual energy, and even the entire cultivation room became denser with spiritual energy.

In the nearby spirit beast room, Ling Xiaobai seemed to sense the anomaly and immediately ran into the cultivation room.

Her little eyes darted around, reflecting a human-like expression of surprise.

Then, the little kitten lay down right there in the cultivation room and fell asleep.

As she breathed, strands of spiritual energy entered her body through her nose.

Two days later, Chu Ning finally emerged from his cultivation state.

"I've been cultivating non-stop for two days, but I've only refined a tiny bit of the Ethereal Spirit Qi.

If I want to refine it completely, it might take another twenty days."

He glanced at the changes in the Ethereal Spirit Qi within his dantian and also sensed the state of his spiritual power.

"It seems like... my spiritual power has increased quite a bit."

Chu Ning's eyes flickered, and the next moment, he quickly checked his cultivation proficiency in his mind.

Immediately, his mouth slightly widened in surprise.

【Green Wood Eternal Spring Art (Low-grade Yellow Tier), Third Layer (1141/2100)】

【Nine Transforming Body Refining Art, First Volume, Endless Sinews (602/1500)】

【Refine God Technique, Second Layer (21/2000)】

In just two days, Chu Ning's proficiency in the third layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art had increased by a full 60 points.

Even the Nine Transforming Body Refining Art's 'Endless Sinews' had increased by 4 points, and the Refine God Technique had risen by 4 points as well.

All this, and he had only been cultivating the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.

"It seems that the Ethereal Spirit Qi's ability to wash the marrow and cleanse the bones is no exaggeration. It even increases spiritual sense, which is truly extraordinary."

As Chu Ning thought about this, his eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Chu Ning quickly calculated and found that he didn't seem too far from perfecting his Qi Refining realm.

With this thought in mind, Chu Ning made a decision.

First, he would seclude himself for twenty days to completely refine the Ethereal Spirit Qi and reach the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

At the same time, he would reveal to others that he had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining. This way, he would have a valid reason to request the Lingyuan Dan from the Qianji Pavilion.

With the Lingyuan Dan, along with his Yin Wood spirit body, and the aid of spirit stones, he could quickly master the third layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.

By then, he could figure out the next step in his cultivation journey.

He could also look for a suitable cultivation technique.

With these thoughts, Chu Ning stood up and left his cave abode, lifting the seclusion formation he had set up.

Normally, no one would disturb him in this state.

He then stepped out into the courtyard and stretched his limbs before cooking and eating some spirit rice.

Afterward, Chu Ning resumed his cultivation.

In the following days, Chu Ning devoted himself entirely to his cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, twenty-five days passed.

【Green Wood Eternal Spring Art (Low-grade Yellow Tier), Third Layer (1741/2100)】

【Nine Transforming Body Refining Art, First Volume, Endless Sinews (652/1500)】

【Refine God Technique, Second Layer (71/2000)】

During these twenty-five days, Chu Ning cultivated for two days straight and then slept on the third day.

He had been primarily focusing on the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art, and in about twenty days, he had increased his proficiency in the third layer by a full 600 points.

In addition to cultivating the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art, Chu Ning occasionally practiced the Endless Sinews technique from the Nine Transforming Body Refining Art and the Refine God Technique to regulate his body and spiritual sense.

His proficiency in Endless Sinews had increased by 50 points, and the Refine God Technique had risen by 50 points as well.

As expected, on the sixth day, when Chu Ning's proficiency in the third layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art reached 1300, he successfully advanced to the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

With his diligent cultivation over the next ten days or so, he had completed more than half of the ninth layer's proficiency.

Now, he only needed to gain another 359 points to fully master the third layer of the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.

"I've been in seclusion for a month. Let me go out for a walk, and when I come back, I'll see how the Lingyuan Dan affects my cultivation."

With these thoughts, Chu Ning left his abode.

Based on his previous experience with the Lingyuan Dan, one pill increased his proficiency by 3 points at the seventh layer of Qi Refining and 2 points at the eighth layer.

If it only increased by 1 point at the ninth layer, he would either have to take more pills or combine them with spirit stones for his cultivation.

He certainly didn't plan to stay in the sect for a whole year before leaving.

As soon as he stepped out of his cave abode, Chu Ning noticed several sound transmission talismans left outside.

He picked them up and listened to the messages.

One was from Xin Wuyao, instructing Chu Ning to find him after his seclusion to report on his cultivation progress.

Two others were from He Changyou and Liao Yunming, both asking him to inform them once he was out of seclusion.

There was also one that slightly surprised Chu Ning, which was from a Foundation Establishment stage attendant named Zhong from the Pill Refining Hall, asking him to meet her at the hall after his seclusion. She mentioned that Gu Xiaoqin had asked her to pass on some items to him.

After listening to all the messages, Chu Ning first sent response talismans to the two attendants, informing them that he had come out of seclusion.

Then, he decided to visit Xin Wuyao first.

As the sect master and his nominal master, it was only appropriate to report to him first.

Moreover, at this stage, Chu Ning needed to maintain the appearance of being cooperative to lay the groundwork for his future plans.

Flying directly to Xin Wuyao's cave abode, Chu Ning was about to send a sound transmission talisman to notify him when he heard Xin Wuyao's voice.

"Come in!"

Hearing this, Chu Ning entered the abode.

"Disciple Chu Ning pays his respects to the sect master."

Chu Ning bowed slightly to show his respect.

Since Xin Wuyao hadn't formally accepted him as a disciple, Chu Ning didn't address him as 'Master.'

Xin Wuyao was seated in the same spot where they had conversed previously.

It seemed that the sect master particularly enjoyed conducting conversations while seated in the main seat of the hall, perhaps due to his long-standing position of authority.

However, this time, there was another person present, whom Xin Wuyao introduced as He Litao, one of his disciples.

Since the man was at the Foundation Establishment stage, Chu Ning respectfully addressed him as 'Master He,' despite him being Xin Wuyao's disciple.

Xin Wuyao glanced at Chu Ning and nodded slightly, a smile on his face as he said, "You've reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining, good. Have you completely refined the Ethereal Spirit Qi?"

Chu Ning replied honestly, "Yes, I have."

Xin Wuyao nodded again.

"You had just broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining before entering the Spirit Domain, and now you've refined the Ethereal Spirit Qi to reach the middle stage of the seventh layer. That's quite impressive.

Go to the Qianji Pavilion and collect some cultivation resources, then continue with your cultivation."

"Yes, Sect Master. I take my leave."

Seeing that Xin Wuyao didn't intend to keep him any longer, Chu Ning naturally had no reason to stay, so he departed from the sect master's abode.

After Chu Ning's departure, Xin Wuyao, who had been sitting in his chair, turned to He Litao, who was standing in the hall, and asked, "Has this disciple been in his cave abode for the entire month?"

He Litao nodded, "Yes, he hasn't left his abode at all."

"What about the others?" Xin Wuyao asked again.

"They are also cultivating diligently within the sect. In about a month, one of them should be able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage," He Litao replied.

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Xin Wuyao's face.

"There's no need to pay too much attention to them within the sect, but don't let them leave.

Especially this Chu Ning, since the spirit plant escaped, even if we find it, we'll need him, the last person to obtain the Ethereal Spirit Qi, to lure it back.

Keep a close eye on him!"

"Yes!"

With that response, He Litao left, leaving the grand hall quiet once more.

Xin Wuyao, however, remained seated in his chair, unmoving, deep in thought.

Chu Ning, who had just left Xin Wuyao's abode, paused for a moment before deciding not to return directly to his abode. Instead, he made his way toward the Qianji Pavilion.

After all, the sect master had given him the go-ahead, and he wasn't one to pass up such an opportunity.

Upon entering the Qianji Pavilion, Chu Ning was surprised to find that the attendant on duty was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The cultivator introduced himself as Ji Mengliang, with a plain appearance and an exceedingly kind face, a slight smile always hanging on his lips.

At first glance, Chu Ning couldn't help but draw similarities between him and Zhuang Yunde, his senior martial brother.

After Chu Ning presented his jade token for identification, Ji Mengliang addressed him, "Oh, it's Junior Martial Nephew Chu.

The sect has issued an order that you may claim any cultivation resources you desire. What would you like, Junior Martial Nephew Chu?"

"Elder Ji, I would like to claim all kinds of cultivation pills, such as the Lingyuan Dan..."

Before Chu Ning could finish, Ji Mengliang interrupted with a smile, "Junior Martial Nephew Chu cultivates a wood-attribute cultivation technique, right? Although the Lingyuan Dan is useful for all disciples at the later stages of Qi Refining, its effects are not as good as the Muyu Dan, which is specifically designed for wood-attribute techniques."

"Muyu Dan?"

Chu Ning was slightly taken aback, as he knew very little about pills.

Back when he was at Yanji Lane, he had always taken Lingyuan Dan.

He had no idea that there was a pill specifically for wood-attribute cultivation techniques.

"If we're talking about effects, one Muyu Dan is equivalent to two Lingyuan Dan for cultivators of wood-attribute techniques."

Hearing this, Chu Ning didn't hesitate and immediately chose the Muyu Dan.

Furthermore, he requested a substantial amount, a total of 60 pills.

Ji Mengliang didn't question the quantity and simply handed over two bottles of pills to Chu Ning.

At this moment, an idea occurred to Chu Ning, and he asked, "Elder Ji, do you have any recommendations for suitable spiritual artifacts for me?"

"Hehe." Ji Mengliang smiled.

"Junior Martial Nephew Chu, the sect's instructions are to provide you with sufficient resources for cultivation improvement.

However, this does not include spiritual artifacts."

Chu Ning was slightly taken aback by this response but quickly regained his composure and continued, "What about talisman-making manuals or spells then?"

"Those are fine." Ji Mengliang smiled.

"Studying talisman-making or spells in addition to your cultivation is indeed a way to assist your progress.

However, those items are not kept in the Qianji Pavilion; they are in the Library Pavilion. Why don't you take a look there, Junior Martial Nephew Chu?"

Chu Ning nodded and bid farewell to Ji Mengliang before leaving the Qianji Pavilion.

After walking a short distance, Chu Ning shook his head inwardly.

Xin Wuyao's words had sounded so pleasant, saying that everything would be smooth and that he could claim whatever he wanted.

But in the end, he could only get his hands on some pills.

Originally, he had hoped to take this opportunity to obtain a top-grade spiritual artifact, but that wish seemed to be dashed.

Chu Ning did not head to the Library Pavilion right away, even though he also wanted to obtain talismans and more advanced spells.

However, at this stage, what was most important to him was cultivating his technique and improving his realm.

Moreover, outwardly, this would also align with Xin Wuyao's expectations.

He could always visit the Library Pavilion later when he had the chance.

Leaving the inner sect, Chu Ning made his way toward the Pill Refining Hall in the outer sect.

He had received a message from an elder there, saying that Gu Xiaoqing had sent something over.

Chu Ning guessed that it was most likely the Jinlan Fruits.

Now that he had refined the Ethereal Spirit Qi, it was time to start using the Jinlan Fruits for his body tempering.

Although he had some in his storage bag, he would need a continuous supply if he intended to use them for an extended period.

This was Chu Ning's first time visiting the Pill Refining Hall in the outer sect. Upon entering, he saw a disciple on duty in the inner hall, a cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Chu Ning quickly approached him.

"Excuse me, Senior Martial Brother, may I ask where Attendant Zhong is?"

The disciple, who had been fiddling with a few bottles of pills, glanced up at Chu Ning with a hint of impatience.

However, he quickly retracted his gaze and stood up, saying, "Oh, it's a senior martial brother from the inner sect. Attendant Zhong is inside.

Please head to the second pill refining room on the right, and you'll find her there."

Chu Ning didn't mind the disciple's change in attitude.

After expressing his thanks, he followed the disciple's instructions and found the second pill refining room on the right.

As he didn't want to disturb Attendant Zhong if she was refining pills, Chu Ning used the transmission device on the door to send a message inside, explaining his purpose for his visit.

In just a few breaths, the door to the pill refining room opened.

To Chu Ning's surprise, a familiar face appeared—it was Gu Xiaoqing.

"Gu Xiaoqing, are you back at the sect?"

Chu Ning was slightly taken aback but quickly realized that she had probably just returned to the sect and hadn't left yet, which was why he had run into her.

"Martial Brother Chu, please come in."

Gu Xiaoqing maintained her gentle demeanor, smiling at Chu Ning as she welcomed him into the pill refining room.

At that moment, there was another woman inside, a middle-aged woman wearing a light green robe. Her eyebrows and eyes were painted exquisitely, giving her a graceful and refined air.

Gu Xiaoqing quickly made the introductions, "Master, this is Martial Brother Chu, the one I mentioned who took care of me in the market."

"Martial Nephew Chu, this is my master, Zhong Ying."

Upon hearing Gu Xiaoqing's words, Chu Ning immediately cupped his fists in greeting, "Martial Nephew Chu Ning, I pay my respects to Master Zhong."

However, Zhong Ying waved her hand, "Martial Nephew Chu, there's no need for formalities. I've heard Xiaoqing mention before that when the Yin Demon Sect attacked in the outside world, it was you who came to her aid."

This woman's manner of speaking was extremely straightforward, her personality seemingly the opposite of Gu Xiaoqing's.

Chu Ning couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

Gu Xiaoqing smiled at him, seemingly aware of his surprise.

However, she soon exclaimed in surprise, "Martial Brother Chu, you've reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end